Easter 2014

Long time no blog! I hope to return soon once we get settled.

I truly hope everyone will have a Happy Easter!  We dyed our eggs naturally this year.  Thanks for Pinterest. Link is to the right, click on easter for a direct link to where I got the idea. I absolutely love them.

We will definitely be dying naturally from here on out. I love that the colors actually match my blog! So perfect!

Halloween 2013

Whew! It's been ages since I've blogged.  I needed a break from blogging and creating.  I've still been loving project life and hope to start sharing that sometime next year. I do love making a December Daily album which I'll start when a few more products arrive, I've been on hault with buying products as well. I already have the Studio Calico kit in my hands and I'm not sure just yet what I want to do with it.  I'm sure something will come together in my mind soon.

 

Halloween 2013: This year the girls decided on a princess costume and a police officer.  They were too cute trick-or-treating last night and they really enjoyed the flashlight hunt on Tuesday night but there were so many kids that they didn't get much candy. We scored big last night though to include cotton candy and popcorn.

 

 

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.  Hello November!

| 5 of 52 |

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  It went by way too fast as it usually does!

| Phillippians 3:13-14 |

Philippians 3:13-14

*just wanted to share this scripture.  A co-worker shared it with me today and it's inspired me after a tough weekend. Be encouraged. Hope you have a great week. I will be caught up on Project Life this week.

King James Version (KJV)

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

| 4 of 52 |

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

| bedroom makeover |

---------- *Bedroom Makeover* ----------
So I'm officially ready to re-do my bedroom. It's time for it to reach grown woman status, lol.  It's been un-inviting for a while now and I'm ready for it to feel warm, cozy and inviting.   Everything on this "mood board" is from Ikea except for the Muji acrylic storage containers. They will be used for my makeup area.  I already changed up my bedding and I love it completely. My baby crawled in bed with me last night because she said it felt so glamorous, lol.  It's amazing what a simple change in bedding can do.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to paint but I sure want to. My color scheme is black, white, silver and deep purple. If I can get a decent picture I'll post one when I get it done.  Happy Hump Day!

| project life |

Ok, so project life for me is going. I'm still trying to get the swing of it. Finding what I like, what I don't like. I do like it simple but I do want to add some personality to it.  I used Paislee Press' woodgrain journaling cards for 2013 and the woodgrain journaling cards (layered templates) . I love the look of Liz Tamanaha's project life album.  It's so simple and clean and so far I've channeled just that.

Week 1: So week one for us was real relaxed.  The highlight for us was definitely Alabama winning the championship. I kept it simple initially and then I used an Ali Edward stamp set, some bling, a studio calico wood veneer camera, and a jenni bowlin butterfuly

 

I added a simple 12x12 page protector that came with my album to put the newspaper in. 

We went to the movies to see Zero Dark Thirty and it was pretty good. I added my one little word for 2013.

Week 2 is complete and I'm working on three weeks. It was way too dark to take pictures of it so I'll try to do it next week

| 3/52 |

" A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013" 

 You can read more of The 52 Project here.

----------*Project Life*----------
I am working on it and have my week 2 done. I think I may be a week behind some of the others depending on when some started. I started my album with week 1 starting Jan 6.  I've been sticking with just pictures and journaling and that's it but I want to jazz it up a bit.  I'm working on that and will post when feel like its post worthy, lol.

We've been glued to the TV with football and the inauguration. Hope everyone will enjoy this long weekend.

xo T

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

| Mr. Jackson + persevere |

2/52

Jackson.

We love him and just can't get enough of him. The family that we adopted him from said that he just wasn't a good match for them and their family. I was way too skeptical of trusting craigslist for a pet but boy did we luck up on him with all his records.  Since having him, I'm completely shocked that he wasn't a good match for them because he's been completely amazing with us. I was hoping to get her a pet for her birthday next month but when he popped up, I wanted him.  He's so sweet and loving and already spoiled. We are now #teamshihtzu. 

----------*persevere layout* ----------

I made this layout to document my one little word for this year. Wilna used these frames on her layout over on two peas and I decided to also cut them and use them on my layout. I also liked  the white space so I may try to use more of that. I think I may frame it up too.  My hope is to make at least one layout/project a week. Fingers crossed.

Have a blessed week everyone.

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

| danielFast |

----------*Daniel Fast*----------

pinterest source

 

I am currently doing the Daniel Fast with my church for 21 Days. I'm so excited about how the Lord will move.  It started today and  if you are seeking the Lord to do something great in your life then I would encourage you to do it also.  The purpose of the spiritual fasting is to consecrate (set aside) a specific period of time to draw closer to God to hear from Him. A powerful side benefit of the Daniel Fast is the improvement in health that most people experience.  There are certain things that you can/can't eat during the fast but it is all for HIS glory! =) 

What's allowed:
Beans and nuts may be eaten
Wheat and grains (brown rice and barley)
Pasta is eaten only if it is vegetable or whole wheat pasta
Pure raw honey is allowed
Bread we eat is pita, grain or wheat bread
Beverages consist of 100% fruit juice, water and/or herbal teas
Unsweetened soy milk and/or almond breeze
Breakfast foods such as grits (ground corn) and oatmeal (ground oats) are
allowed
Fish is allowed during the fast (baked or broiled), however, shellfish is
not

Not allowed:
Sodas, regular teas and coffee are not allowed (nothing with caffeine)
In terms of dairy products, we did not eat cheese or eggs or milk
Meat and poultry are not to be eaten
Nothing friend
Foods may be prepared with all usual spices, herbs, butter or olive oil.
Snacks and candy are not allowed
Jelly and dessert items (sweets) are not allowed
Kool-aid and fruit flavored drinks are not allowed.
White breads are not allowed.

Daniel 1:12 "please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us
vegetables to eat and water to drink"

Daniel 10:3 KJV: I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth,
nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled".

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

| one little word PERSEVERE |

source

Happy New Year everyone!

My one little word for 2013 is persevere. I took a look at some synonyms and they just sum up exactly what I want to do this year.

persist
continue
keep at it
keep on
carry on
keep trying
stick with

I really took some time to think over 2012 and I am so thankful and blessed to still be here to see another year.  My hope for 2013 is that I truly begin to fulfill some personal goals as well as being open to the next chapter in my life.  Blogging has been good and bad for me for different reasons but thankfully I will persevere even thru the anonymous negativity. My ultimate goal this year is to be persistent in developing a more sincere and intimate relationship with Christ. I want to become the woman that HE would have me to be.

I don't know the direction that this blog will have in 2013 but I do know that I will persevere. My hope is that my posts will become more meaningful and full of snaps of our lives. I want to ensure that my daughter can really look back and see those everyday moments that seem to get lost in time.

hugs,Tonia

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

| christmas2012 |

Christmas was great this year.  I've been in sort of a little funk that I can't seem to shake but I know happier days are coming.

 We always have these homemade mini biscuits for Christmas.  They are so simple and so great.

My baby loved her Alabama slippers. I almost wish I had a pair of them. Roll Tide!

My baby got an Ipod this year. My niece has had one for a while now so Santa decided to bring her one. I can re-claim my Ipad back.

The mini tree

All the kids got something to ride this year and he was too excited about that.

Pandora bracelets were a huge hit.

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Christmas. See you all in the next year. I'm working on getting Project Life together for 2013.

| merryChristmas |

Just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! See you all in the new year!

| 12.12.12 |

-------------*12.12.12*------------------ 
Just because it's 12.12.12 and today for me is leopard and gold Wednesday. Happy Hump Day folks! Feeling so happy and blessed. Love on Top!  instagram: @niyahnicole

| December Daily: Day 4-7 |

-------------*December Daily 2012: Day 4 -7*------------------

Playing a little catch up today with my DD posts. I wondered how I was going to handle keeping up during the week with working but my phone has played a HUGE part in keeping up with the daily things.

---- Dec 4 ----: Tuesday blues...felt like blue for the day and rolled with it.

---- Day 5 ----: Snapped this picture of Aniyah at my desk after she wrote her letter to Santa.

---- Day 6 ----: I woke up feeling a bit "extra" and decided to make myself up for the day.  Our office had birthday lunch at a restaurant called Wintzells Oyster House.

---- Day 7 ----: My baby had a 24 hour stomach virus so we stayed home and I spent my time just loving on her while keeping my fingers crossed that I didn't catch the bug! Luckily I didn't.

How are you all coming along? Keeping up? 

| someone is sick today |

-------------*LAYOUT*-------------
This layout was inspired by this lo and silhouette cut Wilna Furstenberg did for Studio Calico tips and tricks. I couldn't wait to get my Cameo to cut it out.  This was my first cut with the machine.

-------------*STOMACH VIRUS*-------------
Someone is home sick today with a nasty stomach bug. I'm definitely hoping I don't catch it.

 Have a good weekend everyone!

| a little extra |

-------------*MAKEUP*-------------

I definitely enjoy days when I wake up and do absolutely nothing and then I enjoy days when I wake up feeling like I want to do something a little "extra". Today was definitely one of those days. I woke up feeling like doing a little "extra" before going to work. Please excuse the photos while I bear it all for the world (I guess instagram is bearing it all for the world too, @niyahnicole).  Happy Thursday!

Eyes: MAC Woodwinked (lid), MAC Saddle (Crease), MAC Embark (outter crease), MAC Ricepaper (brow bone highlight), Maybelline Ultra Liner & Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara ( face based with Milk of Magnesia & Vanishing Cream)

Done: Wet-n-Wild 919b 'Vamp it Up' (Lips)

Sun light in the morning

-------------*COMMENTS*-------------

2 comments:

1. 
   AnonymousDecember 2, 2012 10:40 PM

   I know I keep saying it but Tonia you make some of the most beautiful albums/pages! Rhonda

   ReplyDelete
   Thanks Rhonda. I love making DD albums. Hopefully I can keep up, lol
2. 
   CherriDecember 3, 2012 8:21 AM

   I love your start to your DD album. Thanks for sharing. (I too, just started wearing 'nerd' glasses and have received a lot of compliments) Go figure...

   ReplyDelete
   Hi Cherri! LOL my baby has had me wearing these glasses and at first I didn't think I would like them but after the folks at work said they were "cute" on me, I just kept wearing them, lol!  

   3 comments:

   1. 
      MichelleDecember 2, 2012 1:16 AM

      I found your blog from the SC gallery :) I absolutely love your cover and foundation pages, can't wait to see the finished album!

      ReplyDelete
      Thanks Michelle, hope I can keep up to finish it! Thanks for stopping by.
   2. 
      StephanieDecember 2, 2012 9:12 AM

      Had to come over from Studio Calico to check out more pictures!! I'm so in love with your whole album! I was kind of wishing I would have used rings instead of the SC Handbook album and I'm pretty sure you just convinced me to re-do my album!! Love! Seriously love!

      ReplyDelete
      Hi Stephanie! I like the rings because I can switch things around very easily. For me its just more convenient because I'm always changing my mind, lol! Thanks for stopping by.
   3. 
      AnonymousDecember 2, 2012 10:38 PM

      Your album is stunning! I love your work! Rhonda

      ReplyDelete
      Hi Rhonda! Thanks so much! =) 
       

      

| December Daily: Day 2 |

-------------*December Daily 2012: Day 2*------------------ 

We kept it pretty low key today. I caught Aniyah in her room reading her SpongeBob book this morning so her hair was still tied up in bantu knots. We rode to Sonic since I like getting 1/2 off the Strawberry limeade during happy hour. I made my usual Sunday run to the grocery store for the things we need for the week. The weather was great so we went to the park and had way too much fun on the seesaw.  I'm not sure how I'll keep up with my DD during the week. So much easier to capture those "daily" things when I'm home but we'll see.